Camera control apparatus

ABSTRACT

A camera control apparatus of the present disclosure includes an interface and a controller. The interface receives first image data generated by a first camera performing image capturing, second image data generated by a second camera performing image capturing, and altitude information relating to altitude, the altitude information being output by an altitude sensor, and transmits a drive signal to a first actuator capable of changing an image capturing direction of the first camera and to a second actuator capable of changing an image capturing direction of the second camera. The controller outputs the drive signal driving at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator to the interface so that an image capturing region of composite image data in which the first image data and the second image data are combined is narrower when the altitude indicated by the altitude information is lower.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a camera control apparatus intransport facilities, such as aircraft and trains, for controllingcameras that capture external video images.

Description of Related Art

Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H11-8843 discloses astructure for adjusting zooming levels and camera-to-camera angles of aplurality of cameras according to an angle of view specified by anoperator's manipulation or an input from an external device. Thisconfiguration makes it possible to perform wide-range and detailedvisual observation without causing duplication or lack of displayedimages.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a camera control apparatus that makes itpossible to perform image capturing with an appropriate angle of view.

A camera control apparatus of the present disclosure includes aninterface and a controller. The interface receives first image datagenerated by a first camera performing image capturing, second imagedata generated by a second camera performing image capturing, andaltitude information relating to altitude, the altitude informationbeing output by an altitude sensor, and transmits a drive signal to afirst actuator capable of changing an image capturing direction of thefirst camera and to a second actuator capable of changing an imagecapturing direction of the second camera. The controller outputs thedrive signal driving at least one of the first actuator and the secondactuator to the interface so that an image capturing region of compositeimage data in which the first image data and the second image data arecombined is narrower when the altitude indicated by the altitudeinformation is lower.

A camera control apparatus according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure includes an interface, a geographic information database, anda controller. The interface receives first image data generated by afirst camera performing image capturing, second image data generated bya second camera performing image capturing, positional informationrelating to a current position, the positional information being outputby a position sensor, and azimuth information being output by a compass,and transmits a drive signal to a first actuator capable of changing animage capturing direction of the first camera and to a second actuatorcapable of changing an image capturing direction of the second camera.The geographic information database retains landmark informationrelating to positions of landmarks. The controller identifies one of thelandmarks which is positioned within a predetermined range relative tothe current position, based on the positional information, the azimuthinformation, and the landmark information acquired from the geographicinformation database. Then, the controller outputs the drive signaldriving at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator sothat a position of the identified landmark is contained in at least oneof an image capturing region of the first camera and an image capturingregion of the second camera.

The camera control apparatus of the present disclosure is effective toperform image capturing with an appropriate angle of view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the configuration of an in-flight systemaccording to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the configuration of a server apparatus inthe first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating data contents of a geographic informationdatabase in the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a specific example of the orientations ofa first camera and a second camera in cases where the altitude of anaircraft is low, according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a specific example of the orientations ofthe first camera and the second camera in cases where the altitude ofthe aircraft is high, according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling theorientations of cameras according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the relationship between a currentposition, a landmark position, and a horizon position, according to thesecond exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail withreference to the drawings. However, unnecessarily detailed descriptionmay be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known mattersand repetitive description of substantially the same structures may beomitted. This is to prevent the following description from becomingredundant and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

It should be noted that the appended drawings and the followingdescription are provided for those skilled in the art to sufficientlyunderstand the present disclosure, and they are not intended to limitthe subject matter set forth in the claims.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinbelow, a first exemplary embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

1-1 Configuration

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the configuration of in-flight system 10according to the first exemplary embodiment. In-flight system 10 of thepresent exemplary embodiment is provided inside an aircraft. In-flightsystem 10 captures images of a landscape external to the aircraft whenthe aircraft is flying an airway, to acquire image data. In-flightsystem 10 changes orientations of cameras based on the altitudeinformation of the aircraft.

In-flight system 10 is furnished with server apparatus 100, monitor 200,GPS module 300, first camera 400 a, second camera 400 b, and compass500. Server apparatus 100 is connected to monitor 200, and it transmitsimage data to monitor 200. Monitor 200 is fitted in a passenger cabin ofthe aircraft. Monitor 200 is capable of displaying video images based onthe image data received from server apparatus 100. GPS module 300acquires latitude-and-longitude information that indicates the currentposition of the aircraft and altitude information that indicates thecurrent altitude of the aircraft, and it transmits thelatitude-and-longitude information and the altitude information toserver apparatus 100.

First camera 400 a generates image data by performing an image capturingoperation and outputs the image data to server apparatus 100. Firstcamera 400 a is furnished with first actuator 401 a. First actuator 401a changes an image capturing direction of first camera 400 a based onthe data received from server apparatus 100. Server apparatus 100controls first actuator 401 a to thereby enable first camera 400 a topan (rotate in yawing directions) and tilt (rotate in pitchingdirections).

Second camera 400 b generates image data by performing an imagecapturing operation and outputs the image data to server apparatus 100.Second camera 400 b is furnished with second actuator 401 b. Secondactuator 401 b changes an image capturing direction of second camera 400b based on the data received from server apparatus 100. Server apparatus100 controls second actuator 401 b to thereby enable second camera 400 bto pan (rotate in yawing directions) and tilt (rotate in pitchingdirections).

Compass 500 acquires azimuth information indicating the current azimuthof the aircraft and transmits the azimuth information to serverapparatus 100. The azimuth information is information that indicates anazimuth on which the aircraft is heading.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the configuration of server apparatus 100.Server apparatus 100 is furnished with interface (I/F) 101, CPU 102,memory 103, geographic information database (DB) 104, and operation unit105. The present exemplary embodiment describes an example in whichgeographic information database 104 is connected to the interior ofserver apparatus 100. However, it is only necessary that the geographicinformation database 104 should be configured so that it can be read andwritten by CPU 102. For example, it is possible that the geographicinformation database may be disposed external to server apparatus 100and connected to interface 101 of server apparatus 100. It is alsopossible that the geographic information database may be disposed in adata center that is external to the aircraft (i.e., on the ground) andmay be capable of communicating with server apparatus 100 via wirelesscommunication.

CPU 102 executes programs stored in memory 103 to perform variousprocessing such as arithmetic operations and information processing. CPU102 is capable of reading and writing data from and into geographicinformation database 104. CPU 102 also carries out communications withmonitor 200, GPS module 300, first camera 400 a, second camera 400 b,and compass 500, via interface 101.

In particular, CPU 102 drives first actuator 401 a of first camera 400 aand second actuator 401 b of second camera 400 b by transmitting a drivesignal to first actuator 401 a and second actuator 401 b, to therebycontrol the image capturing directions of first camera 400 a and secondcamera 400 b. CPU 102 manages the image capturing direction of firstcamera 400 a as first directional information. CPU 102 also manages theimage capturing direction of second camera 400 b as second directionalinformation. The first directional information and the seconddirectional information are information indicating relative directionsto the aircraft in which first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b areinstalled.

CPU 102 acquires information from GPS module 300 and geographicinformation database 104, combines image data acquired from first camera400 a and second camera 400 b by carrying out image processing on theimage data, and transmits the combined image data to monitor 200. CPU102 receives signals from operation unit 105 and performs variousoperations in response to the received signals. In particular, CPU 102controls the start and end of image capturing operations of first camera400 a and second camera 400 b based on the signals from operation unit105.

Memory 103 stores, for example, programs to be executed by CPU 102,image data generated by first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b thatperform image capturing, computation results of CPU 102, and informationacquired from geographic information database 104. Memory 103 may becomposed of a flash memory or a RAM.

Interface 101 receives first image data generated by first camera 400 athat performs image capturing, second image data generated by secondcamera 400 b that performs image capturing, latitude-and-longitudeinformation being output by GPS module 300, and azimuth informationbeing output by compass 500, and transmits the received data andinformation to CPU 102. In addition, interface 101 transmits a drivesignal that is output by CPU 102 to first actuator 401 a and secondactuator 401 b.

Geographic information database 104 is a database for retaininginformation relating to landmarks on a map (landmark information). Thelandmark information is information that indicates specific points oflocation on a map. It should be noted that a landmark is also referredto as a point of interest (POI). The geographic information database 104is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a specific example of data contents ofgeographic information database 104. Geographic information database 104retains a plurality of sets of landmark information, each set containinga landmark name and its latitude and longitude (geographic information)indicating the global position of the landmark.

Operation unit 105 is a user interface for accepting input from a user(such as a cabin crew of the aircraft). Operation unit 105 is fitted inthe passenger cabin of the aircraft. Operation unit 105 is composed ofat least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, and a remotecontrol. When operated by a user, operation unit 105 transmits a signalcorresponding to the operation to CPU 102.

In-flight system 10 is an example of image capturing system. Serverapparatus 100 is an example of camera control apparatus. GPS module 300is an example of position sensor (latitude-and-longitude informationacquiring unit) and altitude sensor (altitude information acquiringunit). CPU 102 is an example of controller. Interface 101 is an exampleof a communication circuit. First camera 400 a and second camera 400 bare an example of image capturing device. First actuator 401 a andsecond actuator 401 b are an example of camera orientation changingunit. Compass 500 is an example of azimuth sensor (azimuth informationacquiring unit). Geographic information database 104 is an example oflandmark database.

1-2 Operations

The operations of in-flight system 10 that is configured in theabove-described manner will be described in the following. Serverapparatus 100 acquires altitude information from GPS module 300. Serverapparatus 100 drives first actuator 401 a and second actuator 401 bbased on the altitude information to change the orientations (i.e., theimage capturing directions) of first camera 400 a and second camera 400b.

When a user gives an instruction to start image capturing by means ofoperating operation unit 105 of server apparatus 100, CPU 102 instructsfirst camera 400 a and second camera 400 b to start image capturing.First camera 400 a and second camera 400 b generate image data byperforming an image capturing operation, and outputs the image data toserver apparatus 100.

CPU 102 combines the image data acquired from first camera 400 a andsecond camera 400 b by carrying out image processing on the image data,and transmits the combined image data to monitor 200. Monitor 200displays the acquired image data. First camera 400 a and second camera400 b are disposed in such orientations that their respective angles ofview (image capturing regions) partially overlap each other. Bycombining image data obtained by first camera 400 a and second camera400 b that perform image capturing, CPU 102 can generate composite imagedata, which are image data with a wider angle of view.

In addition, CPU 102 changes the orientations of first camera 400 a andsecond camera 400 b based on the altitude information. CPU 102 repeatsthe above-described process every predetermined time until it receivesan instruction to stop image capturing.

The following describes controlling of the orientations of first camera400 a and second camera 400 b based on altitude information. FIG. 4 is aview illustrating a specific example of the orientations of first camera400 a and second camera 400 b in cases where the altitude of theaircraft is low. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a specific example of theorientations of first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b in caseswhere the altitude of the aircraft is high. CPU 102 drives firstactuator 401 a and second actuator 401 b by transmitting a drive signalto first actuator 401 a and second actuator 401 b to control the imagecapturing directions of first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b sothat composite image capturing region Rc is narrower when the altitudeindicated by the altitude information is lower. Controlling of the imagecapturing directions of first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b maybe carried out by changing the image capturing directions of both of thecameras, or by changing the image capturing direction of either one ofthe cameras.

Herein, composite image capturing region Rc is a wider image capturingregion obtained by combining image capturing region Ra of first camera400 a and image capturing region Rb of second camera 400 b. In otherwords, composite image capturing region Rc is a region in which imagecapturing is possible with at least one of the two cameras. It may alsobe said that the image capturing region of the composite image data,which are obtained by combining the image data obtained through theimage capturing performed by first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b,is composite image capturing region Rc. An axis corresponding to theoptical axis of composite image capturing region Rc is defined as acomposite optical axis. The composite optical axis is the sum of unitvectors indicating the respective optical axes of the two cameras. Itshould be understood that the orientation of the composite optical axiscan be obtained by calculation from the first directional informationand the second directional information, which indicate the respectiveorientations of the two cameras, and the azimuth information acquiredfrom compass 500.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, CPU 102 drives first actuator 401 a and secondactuator 401 b to change the orientations of first camera 400 a andsecond camera 400 b so that composite image capturing region Rc of firstcamera 400 a and second camera 400 b will be smaller when the altitudeindicated by the altitude information is lower than a predeterminedthreshold value. That the composite image capturing region Rc will besmaller means, in other words, that overlapping image capturing regionRo in which image capturing region Ra of first camera 400 a and imagecapturing region Rb of second camera 400 b overlap is larger.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, CPU 102 drives first actuator 401 a and secondactuator 401 b to change the orientations of first camera 400 a andsecond camera 400 b so that composite image capturing region Rc of firstcamera 400 a and second camera 400 b will be larger when the altitudeindicated by the altitude information is higher than a preset thresholdvalue. That the composite image capturing region Rc will be largermeans, in other words, that overlapping image capturing region Ro inwhich image capturing region Ra of first camera 400 a and imagecapturing region Rb of second camera 400 b overlap is smaller.

1-3 Advantageous Effects, Etc.

As described above, server apparatus 100 of the present exemplaryembodiment includes interface 101 and CPU 102. Interface 101 receivesfirst image data generated by first camera 400 a that performs imagecapturing, second image data generated by second camera 400 b thatperforms image capturing, and altitude information relating to altitude,which is output by GPS module 300, and interface 101 transmits a drivesignal to first actuator 401 a capable of changing the image capturingdirection of first camera 400 a and to second actuator 401 b capable ofchanging the image capturing direction of the second camera 400 b. CPU102 outputs the drive signal for driving first actuator 401 a and secondactuator 401 b to control the image capturing directions of first camera400 a and second camera 400 b so that when the altitude indicated by thealtitude information is lower, composite image capturing region Rc,which is the range in which image capturing is possible with at leastone of first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b, will be narrower.

With this server apparatus 100, when the altitude is lower, compositeimage capturing region Rc obtained by the two cameras is accordinglynarrower. When composite image capturing region Rc is narrower, theblind spot between the two cameras becomes smaller, so that the imagecapturing region contains a closer range. When the altitude is lower,the possibility that an object such as a landmark is in a closer rangeis higher. Even in such cases, server apparatus 100 of the presentexemplary embodiment makes it possible to control the camerasorientations so as to increase the possibility that such objects arecontained within the image capturing region. That is, server apparatus100 of the present exemplary embodiment is effective to perform imagecapturing with an appropriate angle of view (i.e., with an appropriateimage capturing region).

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinbelow, a second exemplary embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 6 to 7.

2-1 Configuration

In-flight system 10 of the second exemplary embodiment differs fromin-flight system 10 of the first exemplary embodiment in that theorientations of first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b arecontrolled based on landmark information. The structure of in-flightsystem 10 of the second exemplary embodiment and the basic controllingof the image capturing operations by first camera 400 a and secondcamera 400 b are substantially the same as those of in-flight system 10of the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore, repetitive descriptionthereof will be omitted.

2-2 Operations

Hereinbelow, controlling of the orientations of first camera 400 a andsecond camera 400 b based on the landmark information will be described.FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling theorientations of the cameras according to the second exemplaryembodiment. CPU 102 repeats the process shown in FIG. 6 every certaintime during the image capturing operation performed by first camera 400a and second camera 400 b.

CPU 102 acquires latitude-and-longitude information and altitudeinformation (step S401). Next, CPU 102 acquires landmark information ina region around the current position from geographic informationdatabase 104 (step S402). Specifically, CPU 102 first calculatesdistance d2 from the current position to the horizon based on thealtitude information.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the relationship between current positionL, landmark position D1, and horizon position D2. Current position L isthe current position of the aircraft, in other words, the positionindicated by the altitude information and the latitude-and-longitudeinformation, which are output by GPS module 300. Ground surface positionL0 is the position of the ground surface that is located directlybeneath the aircraft, in other words, the position indicated by thelatitude-and-longitude information, which is output by GPS module 300.Altitude H is the altitude of the aircraft, in other words, the altitudeindicated by the altitude information, which is output by GPS module300. Radius R is the radius of the Earth when the Earth is assumed to bea perfect sphere. Landmark position D1 is the global position of aspecific landmark indicated by a piece of landmark information retainedin geographic information database 104. Horizon position D2 is theposition of the horizon as seen from the aircraft located at currentposition L.

Distance d1 from ground surface position L0 to landmark position D1 canbe obtained by calculation using the longitudes and latitudes thereof.The central angle of an arc defined by ground surface position L0 andlandmark position D1 is defined as angle θ. Distance d2 from groundsurface position L0 to horizon position D2 can be obtained by thefollowing equation (1). As will be appreciated from equation (1),distance d2 can be calculated from altitude H, in other words, thealtitude information.d2=Rθ=R cos⁻¹(R/(h+R))  (1)

Next, CPU 102 acquires landmark information contained within a circularregion with its center being ground surface position L0 indicated by thelatitude-and-longitude information and its radius being the calculateddistance d2, and within the maximum composite image capturing region offirst camera 400 a and second camera 400 b, from geographic informationdatabase 104 (step S402). Here, the maximum composite image capturingregion refers to the region in which composite image capturing region Rcthat is determined by the orientations of the two cameras is thegreatest. Specifically, the maximum composite image capturing region iscomposite image capturing region Rc that causes overlapping imagecapturing region Ro of first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b to beminimum. CPU 102 identifies the maximum composite image capturing regionfrom the first directional information and the second directionalinformation that cause overlapping image capturing region Ro of the twocameras to be minimum, the azimuth information acquired from compass500, and the respective angles of view of the cameras. CPU 102 acquireslandmark information that is present within an overlapping regionbetween the circular region with its radius being distance d2 and themaximum composite image capturing region from geographic informationdatabase 104.

CPU 102 determines whether or not the acquired landmark informationexists within at least one of image capturing region Ra of first camera400 a and image capturing region Rb of second camera 400 b (step S403).In other words, CPU 102 determines whether or not the acquired landmarkis present within composite image capturing region Rc.

If the landmark indicated by the acquired landmark information existswithin at least one of image capturing region Ra of first camera 400 aand image capturing region Rb of second camera 400 b (Yes at step S403),the current camera orientations are retained.

On the other hand, if the landmark indicated by the acquired landmarkinformation exists neither in image capturing region Ra of first camera400 a nor in image capturing region Rb of second camera 400 b (No atstep S403), CPU 102 drives first actuator 401 a and second actuator 401b with a drive signal to change the camera orientations (step S404). Inthis case, CPU 102 changes the camera orientations so that the landmarkindicated by the acquired landmark information exists in at least one ofimage capturing region Ra of first camera 400 a and image capturingregion Rb of second camera 400 b, based on the position of the landmarkidentified by the acquired landmark information. When changing the imagecapturing directions of first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b, theimage capturing directions of both cameras may be changed, or the imagecapturing direction of either one of the cameras may be changed.

2-3 Advantageous Effects, Etc.

As described above, server apparatus 100 of the present exemplaryembodiment includes interface 101, geographic information database 104,and CPU 102. Interface 101 receives image data generated by first camera400 a that performs image capturing, image data generated by secondcamera 400 b that performs image capturing, latitude-and-longitudeinformation relating to the current position that is output by GPSmodule 300, and azimuth information that is output by compass 500.Interface 101 also transmits a drive signal to first actuator 401 acapable of changing the image capturing direction of first camera 400 aand to second actuator 401 b capable of changing the image capturingdirection of the second camera 400 b. Geographic information database104 retains landmark information relating to positions of landmarks. CPU102 identifies a landmark positioned within a predetermined rangerelative to the current position, based on the latitude-and-longitudeinformation, the azimuth information, and the landmark informationacquired from geographic information database 104. Then, CPU 102 outputsthe drive signal for driving first actuator 401 a and second actuator401 b to control the image capturing directions of first camera 400 aand second camera 400 b so that the position of the identified landmarkis contained in at least one of the image capturing region of firstcamera 400 a and the image capturing region of second camera 400 b.

This server apparatus 100 makes it possible to control the cameraorientations so that a landmark existing within the range in which imagecapturing is possible can be caught within the image capturing region ofeither one of the cameras. Thus, server apparatus 100 of the presentexemplary embodiment is effective to perform image capturing with anappropriate angle of view (i.e., with an appropriate image capturingregion).

Other Exemplary Embodiments

Hereinabove, the first and second exemplary embodiments have beendescribed as examples of the technology disclosed in the presentapplication. However, the technology of the present disclosure is notlimited thereto and may be applied to other embodiments in whichmodifications, substitutions, additions, and subtractions are made. Itis also possible to construct other embodiments by combining componentparts described in the first and second exemplary embodiments. Now,other exemplary embodiments will be illustrated in the following.

The first and second exemplary embodiments have described aconfiguration provided with two cameras. It is also possible to applythe configuration of the present disclosure to cases where three or morecameras are provided, by performing similar processing for two of thecameras.

The first and second exemplary embodiments have described aconfiguration in which the altitude information is acquired from GPSmodule 300. It is also possible to acquire the altitude informationusing other types of altitude sensors, such as an atmospheric pressuresensor.

The first and second exemplary embodiments have described aconfiguration in which the orientations of the cameras are changed bycontrolling the actuators to thereby changing the image capturingregions. It is also possible to change image capturing regions by usingcameras that are capable of changing their image capturing regions, suchas cameras provided with zoom lenses, and by controlling the imagecapturing regions of the cameras with CPU 102. Specifically, CPU 102changes image capturing region Ra of first camera 400 a and imagecapturing region Rb of second camera 400 b so that overlapping imagecapturing region Ro, in which image capturing region Ra of first camera400 a and image capturing region Rb of second camera 400 b overlap, willbe larger (i.e., the angle of view will be wider) when the altitudeindicated by the altitude information is lower than a preset thresholdvalue. CPU 102 changes image capturing region Ra of first camera 400 aand image capturing region Rb of second camera 400 b so that overlappingimage capturing region Ro, in which image capturing region Ra of firstcamera 400 a and image capturing region Rb of second camera 400 boverlap, will be smaller (i.e., the angle of view will be narrower) whenthe altitude indicated by the altitude information is higher than thepreset threshold value.

In place of zooming with the use of zoom lenses, zooming may be carriedout by performing image capturing with the use of a camera equipped witha wide-angle lens and cropping a portion of image data from image datawith a wide range of image capturing region. By changing the imagecapturing region to be cropped according to the altitude, it is alsopossible to control the overlapping cropped image capturing region offirst camera 400 a and second camera 400 b.

The first and second exemplary embodiments have described aconfiguration in which the image capturing regions are changed bycontrolling the actuators to pan or tilt the cameras. It is alsopossible that the image capturing regions may be changed by controllingthe actuators so as to rotate the cameras in rolling directions, thatis, to rotate the cameras around the optical axes of the cameras. Theimage capturing region (angle of view) of first camera 400 a and secondcamera 400 b is in a rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of, forexample, 16:9. This means that the image capturing regions can bechanged by rotating the cameras in rolling directions between ahorizontal position and a vertical position. Here, the horizontalposition refers to a position of the cameras along a rolling directionsuch that the longitudinal sides of the image capturing regions of thecameras are parallel to the axis along which the two cameras are linedup. The vertical position refers to a position of the cameras along arolling direction such that the longitudinal sides of the imagecapturing regions of the cameras are perpendicular to the axis alongwhich the two cameras are lined up.

For example, CPU 102 controls first actuator 401 a and second actuator401 b to cause first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b to be in thehorizontal position when the altitude indicated by the altitudeinformation is lower than a preset threshold value. CPU 102 controlsfirst actuator 401 a and second actuator 401 b to cause first camera 400a and second camera 400 b to be in the vertical position when thealtitude indicated by the altitude information is higher than the presetthreshold value. In this situation, however, the image capturing regionsof first camera 400 a and second camera 400 b should partially overlap.By doing so, the image capturing regions about the axis in which thecameras are lined up can be changed, so that the same advantageouseffects as those obtained by the first exemplary embodiment can beobtained.

In place of controlling the actuators, it is possible to perform imagecapturing using cameras equipped with a wide-angle lens, and to crop aportion of image data from the image data with a wide range of imagecapturing region to achieve panning and tilting, or it is also possibleto crop a portion of image data along a rolling direction.

The first exemplary embodiment has described a configuration in whichonly one threshold value is set for determining whether the altitude ishigh or low and the camera orientations are changed in two steps. It isalso possible that a plurality of threshold values may be set and thecamera orientations may be changed in three or more steps.

The first exemplary embodiment has described a configuration in which athreshold value of altitude is set in order to determine whether thealtitude is high or low and the camera orientations are changedaccordingly. It is also possible that a table showing associationsbetween altitude information and camera orientations may be prepared,and the camera orientations may be decided from the altitude informationby looking up the table.

The first exemplary embodiment has described a configuration in which athreshold value of altitude is set in order to determine whether thealtitude is high or low and the camera orientations are changedaccordingly. It is also possible that the camera orientations may becalculated using a predetermined calculation formula to change thecamera orientations.

The first and second exemplary embodiments have described aconfiguration in which the process of controlling the cameraorientations is repeated every certain time. This process may berepeated every time the aircraft travels a certain distance, using atravel distance acquired from GPS module 300.

The first and second exemplary embodiments have been described with thepresumption that the orientations and image capturing regions of thecameras are changed in lateral directions (panning directions). Theorientations and image capturing regions of the cameras may be changedin a similar manner when they are changed in vertical directions.

Hereinabove, exemplary embodiments have been described as examples ofthe technology of the present disclosure. For that purpose, the appendeddrawings and the detailed description have been provided.

Accordingly, the elements shown in the appended drawings and thedetailed description may include not only the elements that areessential to solve the technical problem but also non-essential elementsthat are not necessary to solve the technical problem. Therefore, justbecause the appended drawings and the detailed description contain suchnon-essential elements, it should not be construed that suchnon-essential elements are necessary.

Moreover, the foregoing exemplary embodiments merely illustrate thetechnology of the present disclosure, and therefore, variousmodifications, substitutions, additions, and subtractions may be madewithin the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure makes it available a camera control apparatusthat enables image capturing with an appropriate angle of view, and istherefore applicable to a camera control apparatus for use in, forexample, aircraft and trains.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera control apparatus comprising: aninterface configured to receive first image data generated by a firstcamera configured to perform image capturing, second image datagenerated by a second camera configured to perform image capturing, andaltitude information relating to altitude, the altitude informationbeing output by an altitude sensor, and transmit a drive signal to afirst actuator capable of changing an image capturing direction of thefirst camera and to a second actuator capable of changing an imagecapturing direction of the second camera; and a controller configured tooutput the drive signal so as to drive at least one of the firstactuator and the second actuator to the interface so that an imagecapturing region of composite image data in which the first image dataand the second image data are combined is narrower when the altitudeindicated by the altitude information is lower.